Table 1.
Clinical Characteristics Comparing High and Low Tracheostomy
| Characteristics | Total, 1,143 (100) | High Tracheostomy, 715 (68.6) | Low Tracheostomy, 327 (31.4) | P Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age, yr, mean ± SD (range, 3–90 yr) | 60.6 ± 14.9 | 61.3 ± 14.8 | 59.5 ± 15.2 | .081a |
| Sex, no. (%) | ||||
| Male | 748 (65.4) | 484 (70.7) | 201 (29.3) | |
| Female | 395 (34.6) | 231 (64.7) | 126 (35.3) | .057b |
| Operation time, min, mean ± SD | 36.8 ± 13.1 | 38.7 ± 12.3 | 33.0 ± 13.4 | <.001a |
| Indication for tracheostomy, no. (%) | ||||
| Cardiorespiratory problem | 698 (61.1) | 463 (72.5) | 176 (27.5) | |
| Malignant disease | 219 (19.2) | 105 (51.7) | 98 (48.3) | |
| Neurologic impairment | 140 (12.2) | 90 (72.0) | 35 (28.0) | |
| Burn injury | 86 (7.5) | 57 (76.0) | 18 (24.0) | <.001b |
| Time to tracheostomy, no. (%)c | ||||
| Early tracheostomy | 528 (47.7) | 302 (63.4) | 174 (36.6) | |
| Late tracheostomy | 579 (52.3) | 385 (72.1) | 149 (27.9) | .003b |
| Urgency of tracheostomy, no. (%) | ||||
| Elective | 1097 (96.0) | 691 (69.0) | 311 (31.0) | |
| Urgent | 46 (4.0) | 24 (60.0) | 16 (40.0) | .231b |
| Site of tracheostomy, no. (%) | ||||
| ICU | 925 (80.9) | 608 (72.3) | 233 (27.7) | |
| OR | 218 (19.1) | 107 (53.2) | 94 (46.8) | <.001b |
| Experience of surgeon, no. (%) | ||||
| Resident | 577 (50.5) | 393 (72.5) | 149 (27.5) | |
| Consultant | 566 (49.5) | 320 (64.4) | 178 (35.6) | .005b |
| Height of tracheostomy, no. (%)c | ||||
| First and second tracheal ring | 128 (15.6) | 105 (17.9) | 19 (8.9) | |
| Second and third tracheal ring | 550 (67.1) | 419 (71.5) | 118 (55.1) | |
| Below third tracheal ring | 142 (17.3) | 62 (10.6) | 77 (36.0) | <.001b |
a
Unpaired Student t test.
b
χ2 test.
c
Data regarding type of surgery, time to tracheostomy, and height of tracheostomy were missing in 101, 36, and 323 patients, respectively.
ICU = intensive care unit; OR = operating room; SD = standard deviation.